Sunday Afternoon
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Sunday Afternoon

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The best kept secret in music

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"Album Review"

Sunday Afternoon's latest release has something for nearly everyone

2006-06-22
Danielle Sottosanti
In the summer of 1999, University of Arizona students Joey Unger and Rick Paz began writing and performing songs together, though Sunday Afternoon’s first incarnation was as a trio that played Dave Matthews Band covers in the Student Union Cellar.

The band, like the Cellar, has changed since 1999. In the last seven years, Sunday Afternoon has managed to land gigs opening up for national acts like Sugar Ray, book a 40-show tour and sell out local venues. Sunday Afternoon has certainly graduated in the literal and figurative sense of the word. Their latest efforts include the release of a new album entitled Something Always Leads You Home.


The 11-track CD starts off with the Greco-Roman themed song “Icarus,” which is also arguably the album’s best track. Solid percussion and a ripping lead guitar riff open up vocalist Rick Paz’s first-person retelling of the mythical boy who flew too close to the sun, which then melted the wax holding his wings together and caused him to fall.

Like the myth, the song has practical implications – What happens when you reach too high? You risk falling. The myth of Icarus is an interesting theme for an up-and-coming band to take on, as lofty dreams are usually a prominent part of a struggling musician’s life.

Sunday Afternoon’s treatment of the theme helps demonstrate the band’s intelligence and maturity, and for listeners who aren’t into lyrical interpretations, the lead guitar riffs and deep vocal lines give the song a power that will please any rocker.

These themes of the sun and crashing down reappear throughout the rest of Something Always Leads You Home.

“Won’t you follow me slowly / Into the sun. / See I won’t let you crash,” Paz says in “Free,” a smooth acoustic number that highlights Paz and guitarist Joey Unger’s dual vocals.

Sunday Afternoon is a Tucson band, so the hot sun is obviously a part of their lives, plus on a deeper level, the sun can symbolize the sky being the limit.

Similarly, crashing is of course a risk that anyone going too fast or too high faces. In other words, if you’re looking for some lyrics to analyze, Something Always Leads You Home definitely has some for you to sink your teeth into.

However, there’s also of course the ultimate question: Is the music good? For their latest album, Sunday Afternoon uses world beats, jazz and some funk to spice up their main recipe of vocal harmonies and acoustic rock mixed with some electric.

Oftentimes, it’s a nice blend that will appeal to anyone from an 18-year-old college student to a 40-year-old housewife; however, with the exception of songs like “Icarus,” it’s not for people who are looking for rock music with a harder edge to it.

Something Always Leads You Home will surely please the band’s fan base and increasing radio airplay may help Sunday Afternoon fans increase their numbers.

The album’s 11 songs are all easily digestible. There aren’t any jarring tracks that will scare people into flipping the dial and, if you’re allowed to play music at work, coworkers and customers from all walks of life will be able to tolerate the music and probably even enjoy it.

For more information on Sunday Afternoon and their latest release, visit the band’s Web site at SundayAfternoon.com. - AZ Nightbuzz


Discography

Stories (LP)2001
No Boundaries(EP)2003
Something Always Leads You Home(LP)2006

"Anybody" current single on 92.9 The Mountain in Tucson.
"Icarus" currently getting national radio time.

Budweiser True Music Band of Tucson 2003-'05

myspace.com/sundayafternoonband
sundayafternoon.com

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Bio

Sunday Afternoon have always been known for their high energy live shows. All members stem from different musical backgrounds making for an eclectic sound. Rick's versatile and passionate voice, mixed with Joey's original hybrid of electric-acoustic guitar, floating over the smooth, melodic and funky flavor of Tyler's bass, all solidify with tight-deep-grooves by Ryan on drums......making for the unique sound that is Sunday Afternoon. Over the six years of the band's existence, they have received numerous awards for Tucson's best Rock/Pop/Indie act. The strong Arizona fan base they have built, has allowed them to open for acts such as; Sugar Ray, Leftover Salmon, Tim Reynolds and Amos Lee. With complex, yet mature arrangements, the listener is taken on a musical journey on their latest release, Something Always Leads You Home. In working with legendary Producer, Ryan Greene(best known for all NOFX albums), and Executive Producer, Steve Smith(formerly of Clear Channel), they have never sounded better on record. Currently, the band is preparing for a national tour in support of the record.